CHRIST  AS"  A  PERSONAL 
WORKER. 

TOPICS  AND  METHODS 

FOR 

workers’  BIBLE  TRAINING  CLASSES, 

SUGGESTED  BY 

L.  Wilbur  Messer, 


General  Secretary  of  the 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association 
OF  Chicago. 


'■  ■  i  <1  -V'  i'i'l  ^[' ;*;  'f  *'  '<*;''■■  V  ,/■ ; '  - 


CHRIST  AS  A  PERSONAL 
WORKER. 

TOPICS  AND  METHODS 

FOR 

workers’  BIBLE  TRAINING  CLASSES, 

SUGGESTED  BY 

L.  Wilbur  Messer, 

General  Secretary  of  the 

VouNG  Men’s  Christian  Association 
OF  Chicago. 


No.  310. 


COPYRIGHTED  1891, 

^  BY 

THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITTEE, 

YOUNG  MEN’S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATIONS. 


For  the  list  of  publications  in  the  “College  Series,’ 

see  last  pages. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE. 


This  series  of  Bible  Topics  was  used  by 
the  Training  Classes  at  the  Northfield  and 
Lake  Geneva  College  Students’ Conferences 
in  the  Summer  of  1891.  The  pamphlet 
compiled  by  Messrs.  Oberand  Mott,  entitled 
Personal  Work,  How  Organized  and  Ac¬ 
complished,”  which  it  is  expected  every 
member  will  secure,  fully  presents  the 
scheme  and  method  of  the  Workers’  Bible 
Training  Class  to  be  used  in  connection 
with  the  series  of  lessons  as  given  in  this 
pamphlet.  The  plan  of  delegated  personal 
work  as  outlined  on  pages  22,  23,  should 
be  used  in  connection  with  the  regular 
Training  Class  methods. 


CHRIST  AS  A  PERSONAL  WORKER. 


LESSON  I. 

IMPORTANCE  OF  PERSONAL  WORK. 

/_How  and  where  is  the  importance  of  per¬ 
sonal  work  taught  in  the  Scriptures  ? 

X- Under  what  circumstances  has  Christ  set 
us  an  example  as  a  Personal  Worker  ? 

State  incidents  of  personal  work  by  the 

of  peY^or«a.\  vooYKNn  OfT. 

«-With  what  evangelistic  agencies  is  per¬ 
sonal  work  an  important  factor? 

S.  State  some  of  the  Scriptural  incentives  to 
personal  work. 

G.What  is  the  relation  of  the  Holy  Scrip¬ 
tures  to  personal  work  ? 

7-  Name  some  of  the  qualifications  neces¬ 
sary  in  successful  personal  work. 

S.  How  may  opportunities  for  such  work  be 
secured  ? 


6 


LESSON  II. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CLASS. 

L  State  the  object  of  the  Workers’  Bible 
Training  Class. 

2^  What  four  distinct  features  are  found  in 
the  plan  of  the  class 

What  kind  of  men  should  compose  the 
class } 

^_What  is  the  three-fold  agreement  of  the 
members 

S,  Of  how  many  members  should  the  class 
consist 

6  State  the  nature  of  the  class. 

7.  Qualifications  of  the  leader. 

S!  Duties  of  the  Secretary. 

^  Length  of  the  class  session. 

/^^How  is  the  time  of  the  class  session  di¬ 
vided  } 

1 1  Note. — In  answering  these  questions,  study  the 
pamphlet,  “Personal  Work,  How  Organized  and 
Accomplished.” 


7 

LESSON  III. 


TREATMENT  OF  AN  ACTUAL  CASE. 

First. — Analysis  of  the  case. 

<5uWhy  necessary  ? 

i.  Study  characteristics  and  conditions. 

C  Classify  objections  and  difficulties. 

^  Note  encouragements  and  discourage¬ 
ments. 

Second. — Prayer. 

^What  result  will  prayer  have  on  the 
worker  1 

What  result  will  prayer  have  on  the 
person  to  be  interviewed  t 

Third. — Parallel  Scripture  case. 

Why  will  the  study  of  a  similar  case 
in  Scripture  assist  the  worker  ? 

Fourth. — The  use  of  the  Scripture. 

(x.  Should  objections  be  answered  by  ar¬ 
gument  or  experience  ? 

(j-  Why  is  the  use  of  the  Scripture  to  be 
encouraged  ? 

t  Should  many  texts  be  quoted  or  read 
to  the  inquirer.? 

Why  must  great  care  be  exercised  in 
the  selection  of  suitable  Scripture 
texts .? 


8 


Fifih.  — Decision. 

^  Should  this  be  urged  in  every  case  ? 
^  State  important  helps  in  bringing  a 
person  to  decision. 

Sixth.  Helps  to  Growth  and  Service, 

What  may  be  recommended  for  spirit¬ 
ual  development? 


% 


9 

LESSON  IV. 

'a  typical  moralist. 

Mark  x  :  17-27. 

Place. 

What  Province,  and  near  what  cities  ? 
Time. 

How  near  the  Crucifixion  ?  ^ 

Name  other  events  immediately  pre¬ 
ceding  and  following. 
Characteristics  and  Condition  of  the  Inquirer. 
His  age;  business;  influence;  sincerity; 
earnestness;  character;  peace  of 
mind;  faith  in  Christ;  difficulties. 
The  Saviour’s  Method. 

Did  he  rebuke  or  encourage  him  ? 

Was  his  morality  praised  or  rebuked  ? 
In  what  manner } 

,  Did  Christ  humiliate  the  inquirer .? 

Did  his  method  indicate  thoroughness  ? 
What  great  privilege  was  offered  ? 
Results. 

Concerning  the  inquirer  ;  concerning 
the  Saviour;  concerning  the  dis¬ 
ciples. 

Central  Scripture  Truth. 

Class  agree  on  the  strongest  spiritual 

truth  in  the  lesson. 

Key  Text. 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


lO 


LESSON  V. 

INTERVIEW  WITH  AN  ANXIOUS  FATHER 
BURDENED  FOR  AN  AFFLICTED 
AND  HOPELESS  SON. 

Mark  ix  :  14-29. 

Also  locate  parallel  accounts. 

Place. 

Locate  and  describe  the  place  of  inter¬ 
view. 

Time. 

State  time  in  Christ's  ministry. 

Relation  to  other  prominent  events. 

Chat'actevistics  and  Condition  o^  the  Pensons 
Inte7'viewed. 

\ 

a.  The  Father  :  His  condition  ;  His 
motives ;  His  request. 

b.  The  Son  :  His  condition ;  His 
history. 

The  Saviour’s  Method. 

By  whom  and  how  was  this  interview 
opened  .? 

State  the  experience  of  the  disciples 
in  this  case. 

Did  Christ  encourage  or  rebuke  the 
father  ? 

How  was  faith  tested  .? 


What  was  the  eifect  of  the  Saviour’s 
presence  on  the  son  ? 

Why  did  Christ  delay  His  answer  ? 

How  was  Divine  power  manifested  ? 

Why  was  the  boy  lifted  up  ? 

To  what  may  be  attributed  the  unsuc¬ 
cessful  attempts  of  the  disciples  ? 

Results. 

Concerning  the  Father ;  concerning 
the  Son  ;  concerning  the  disciples  ; 
^  and  as  applied  to  ourselves. 

Central  Scripture  Truth. 

To  be  decided  by  class. 

Key  Text. 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


12 


LESSON  VI. 

AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  A  CARELESS,  INDIFFERENT 
AND  SINFUL  PERSON. 

John  iv :  1-30. 

Place. 

The  city ;  distance  from  Jerusalem ; 
Old  Testament  name. 

Time. 

In  the  Saviour’s  ministry. 

Characteristics  and  Condition  0/  the  Person 
Interviewed. 

Nationality;  religious  belief;  charac¬ 
ter  ;  congeniality ;  tact. 

The  Saviour's  Method. 

Was  the  interview  sought  ? 

Significance  of  the  fact  that  the  disci¬ 
ples  were  not  present. 

How  was  the  interview  naturally  open¬ 
ed  ? 

How  was  her  curiosity  and  interest 
awakened  ? 

What  brought  conviction  ? 

How  did  the  Saviour  show  patience  and 
tact  ? 

What  did  He  reveal  ? 

What  should  be  the  objective  point 
with  the  worker  in  every  inter¬ 
view  ? 

Was  the  interview  followed  up  t 


13 


Results. 

Concerning  the  woman ;  concerning 
the  Jews  ;  concerning  the  Samari¬ 
tans  ;  concerning  the  disciples. 
Ce7ilral  Scripture  Truth. 

To  be  agreed  upon  by  the  class. 

Key  Text. 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


% 


14 


LESSON  VIE 

AX  IXQUIRER  REBUFFED,  THOUGH  PHYSICALLY 
AND  SPIRITUALLY  HELPLESS. 

Mark  X  146-5 2: 

I  lace. 


What  section  of  what  city  ? 
Time. 


In  the  Lord’s  ministry. 

Characieristics  and  Condition  0/  the  Inquirer. 

Physically;  spiritually;  socially. 

Note  how  he  differed  from  Saul  in  his 
attitude  toward  Christ  ? 

How  was  his  faith  demonstrated.? 

How  was  the  importance  of  obedience 
manifested.? 

Did  he  sacrifice  anything  to  obey  - 
Christ .? 

Was  he  appreciative  of  the  Saviour’s 
help .? 

The  Saviour's  Method. 


Contrast  His  attitude  to  that  of  the 
disciples. 

Why  and  how  did  Christ  draw  out  his' 
desire .? 

By  what  means  was  he  brought  into 
the  presence  of  Christ .? 

What  lessons  here  for  Christian 
workers .? 


15 


To  what  was  attributed  the  healing  of 
the  supplicant  ? 

How  does  this  apply  to  spiritual  cleans¬ 
ing? 

Results. 

Concerning  the  inquirer ;  concerning 
the  disciples  ;  concerning  Christ  ; 
concerning  the  multitude. 

Central  Scripture  Truth. 

To  be  determined  by  the  class. 

Key  Text. 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


LESSON  VIII. 


AN  IMPETUOUS,  UNRELIABLE,  BUT  LOVING 

DISCIPLE. 

Last  Chapters  of  the  Gospels. 

Place. 

Note  the  different  places  where  Christ 
talked  with  Peter. 

Time. 

Locate,  the  time  of  the  interviews. 

Characteristics  arid  Condition  of  the  Person 
Piter  vieived. 

His  occupation;  natural  ability;  strong 
points  of  his  nature;  weak  points 
of  his  nature;  his  greatest  weak¬ 
ness.  In  what  respects  was  he 
like  many  young  men  of  this  age.? 

The  Saviour’s  Method. 

^Did  Peter  seek  Christ,  or  did  Christ 
seek  Peter  to  be  His  disciple.? 

How  did  the  Saviour  warn  him  against 
temptation .? 

When  and  how  did  He  rebuke  him  .? 

How  did  Christ  show  that  He  forgave 
and  trusted  him  .? 


^7 


Results, 

Concerning  Peter;  concerning  the 
church;  concerning  the  world. 

Central  Scripture  Truth. 

To  be  agreed  upon  by  the  class. 

Key  Text. 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


i8 


LESSON  IX. 

AN  INTELLIGENT  AND  INFLUENTIAL  INQUIRER. 

John  iii :  1-13. 

Place. 

What  city  ? 

Time. 

Was  it  near  or  during  an  important 
Jewish  feast  ? 

Time  in  the  Saviour’s  ministry. 

Characteristics  and  Condition  of  the  Inquirer. 

Nationality;  sect;  position;  influence; 
his  sincerity. 

Why  was  the  interview  sought  in  the 
night  ? 

To  what  extent  was  he  a  believer  in 
Christ  ? 

What  did  he  lack  ? 

Of  what  class  of  modern  unbelievers 
was  he  a  type  ? 

The  Saviour  s  Method. 

Why  was  the  Saviour’s  reply  in  verse 
three  singularly  appropriate  ? 

What  did  Nicodemus  expect  ? 

Notice  that  the  Saviour  reiterates  an 
important  truth. 

What  lesson  does  this  suggest  to  the 
Christian  worker  ? 


19 


¥ 

What  important  factor  in  the  present¬ 
ing  of  the  truth  is  noticed  in  verse 
eight?  . 

How  and  why  was  Nicodemus  re¬ 
buked  ? 

What  followed  the  deepening  of  con¬ 
viction  ? 

Results. 

Concerning  the  inquirer;  concerning 
Christ;  concerning  the  disciples. 

Central  Scripture  Truth. 

To  be  agreed  upon  by  the  class. 

Key  Text. 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


2C 


LESSON  X. 

INTERVIEW  WITH  AN  INFLUENTIAL,  PREJU¬ 
DICED,  BUT  SINCERE  UNBELIEVER. 

Acts  9 :  1-22. 

Place. 

Name  the  city;  its  importance;  dis¬ 
tance  from  Jerusalem;  character 
of  the  population. 


Time. 


Relation  to  the  ascension  of  Christ. 

Characteristics  and  Condition  of  the  Person 
Interviewed. 

His  nationality;  motives;  influer 
education;  how  acquired.?  attit 
towards  Christianity  and  its 
herents;  bodily  presence;  was 
troubled  in  spirit.? 

The  Saviour’s  Method. 

Had  He  previous  to  this  time  b( 
striving  with  Saul  ? 

Name  the  features  of  this  special  c£ 

Note  significance  of  latter  clause 
verse  five. 


How  was  his  obedience  tested .? 
How  was  his  faith  tried .? 

How  was  his  humility  shown .? 


<4-  I' 


21 


What  important  feature  in  God’s  plan 
of  conversion  is  illustrated  by 
Ananias  ? 

Was  Saul  given  assurance;  if  so,  how  ? 

State  two  important  elements  in  Chris¬ 
tian  growth  which  are  imme¬ 
diately  provided. 


Results. 

Concerning  Saul;  concerning  the  disci¬ 
ples;  concerning  the  world. 

Central  Scriptwe  Truth. 

To  be  decided  by  the  class. 

Key  Text, 

To  be  located  and  memorized. 


jr 


22 


DELEGATED  PERSONAL  WORK. 

WHAT  IS  IT.? 

A  plan  whereby  the  members  of  Workers' 
Bible  Training  Classes  are  delegated  by  the 
leader  to  interview  and  follow  up  young 
men  until  satisfactory  reports  are  presented 
as  to  results  obtained. 

WHY  IMPORTANT  ? 

Because  most  Christians  fail  to  recognize 
opportunities  for  personal  work. 

Because  much  of  the  work  done  is  super¬ 
ficial  and  unsatisfactory. 

Because  through  natural  diffidence  many 
young  Christians  are  prevented  from  be¬ 
ginning  personal  work. 

Because  in  business  and  in  many  other 
departments  of  Christian  work,  it  is  neces¬ 
sary  to  delegate  important  business  to  others 
who  shall  be  responsible  for  its  perform¬ 
ance. 

Because  young  men  partially  interested 
in  the  Association,  or  introduced  by  friends, 
need  a  thorough  and  systematic  elfort  in 
their  behalf. 

Because  we  have  scriptural  illustrations 
of  its  necessity,  namely: 

The  Saviour  was  sen/  by  the  Father  to  re¬ 
deem  the  world. 


23 

Philip  was  delegated  to  deal  with  the 
Ethiopian  Eunuch. 

Peter  was  delegated  to  preach  to  Corne¬ 
lius. 

Ananias  was  delegated  to  minister  to  Saul } 

HOW  ORGANIZED  ? 

Each  member  of  the  class  should  make 
his  report  of  personal  work  accomplished 
each  week,  on  blanks  prepared  like  the 
form  below. 

When  the  secretary  of  the  class  calls  the 
roll,  each  member  will  read  the  brief  report 
of  personal  work  as  written  on  the  blank. 

Each  case  assigned  is  to  be  followed  up 
until  the  class  or  leader  decides  that  thor¬ 
ough  work  has  been  performed. 

From  these  reports  a  typical  case  will  be 
chosen  for  study  each  week. 

The  leader  and  secretary  should  see  that 
each  member  is  doing  actual  personal  work 
each  week. 

If  a  member  of  the  class  prefers  to  select 
his  own  case,  he  should  be  allowed  to  do  so. 

The  leader  or  secretary  should  keep  a 
record  of  such  persons  as  in  their  judgment 
might  be  approached  by  members  of  the 
class. 


24 


FORM  OF  PERSONAL  WORK  BLANK  FOR  WORKERS’ 
BIBLE  TRAINING  CLASS. 

The  following  questions  refer  to  some 
young  man  selected  by,  or  delegated  to,  a 
member  of  the  class.  Report  on  case  is  to 
be  made  each  week,  and  recorded  by  the  secre¬ 
tary  of  the  class  until  satisfactory  results  are 
realized. 

Name . 

Address . 

Objections  and  difficulties . 

Characteristics  and  condition . 


Date  registered  by  class . . . 

Report  on  above  case . 189..  By , 


Reports  will  be  called  for  by  the  secre¬ 
tary  of  the  class  at  each  session. 


25 


(^GLLGGS  ^ei^ies. 


301.  College  Association  Record  Blanks.  Prepared 

by  Clarence  H.  Lee.  A  full  set  of  blanks  for  reg¬ 
ular  Committees,  and  for  complete  summary  by 
Recording  Secretary.  Printed  on  heavy  paper  and 
perforated  ready  for  Binder,  with  specially  made 
Binder  for  preservation  and  reference.  Price 
complete,  11.2,5.  The  Binder  will  last  for  years, 
and  purchasers  will  be  supplied  with  blanks  for 
later  years  at  75  cents  per  set. 

302.  College  Association  Buildings.  Containing  pic¬ 

tures  of  nine  buildings  and  plans  of  three,  also 
testimonies  regarding  the  value  of  such  buildings. 
John  R.  Mott.  Price  fifteen  cents. 

303.  How  TO  secure  a  College  Association  Building. 

John  R  Mott.  Price  five  cents. 

3®4.  ow  CAN  the  College  Association  Awaken  and 
MAINTAIN  interest  IN  Bible  Study  ?  John  R. 
Mott.  Price  five  cents. 

305.  The  Fall  Campaign,  or  how  to  reach  New  Stu¬ 
dents.  John  R.  Mott.  Price  five  cents. 

06.  The  claims  of  the  General  Secretaryship  on 
Men  of  education  and  ability.  John  R.  Mott. 
Price  five  cents. 

307.  Personal  Work,  how  organized  and  accomplish-  ' 
ED  ;  Studies  for  bible  training  classes.  C.  K. 
Ober  and  John  R.  Mott.  Price  five  cents. 


26 


308.  The  Study  of  the  English  Bible  in  College.  Prof. 

George  S.  Burroughs,  Ph.  D.  Price  five  cents. 

309.  Constitution  of  the  College  Association.  (Re¬ 

vised  1891.)  Price  five  cents. 

310.  Christ  as  a  Personal  Worker  ;  Topics  and  Meth¬ 

ods  FOR  Workers’  Bible  Training  Classes.  Sug¬ 
gested  by  L.  Wilbur  Messer.  Price  five  cents. 

In  quantities  one  dozen  ot  mofe^  No,  302  is  sold  at 
%\.'2$per  dozen;  in  quantities  of  fifty  or  more  at  $7.50/1??' 
hundred.  I n  same  quantities  Nos.  303  to  310  are  sold  at  50 
cents  j>er  dozen,  or  $4.00  per  hundred.  International  Com¬ 
mittee  of  Y oung  Men' s  Christian  Associations,  40  JSast 
Street,  New  York. 


I 


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40  East  Twenty-third  Street, 

New  York  City. 

1891. 


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